After Hours
(1998)
This is the second of my concept records. Matt Pierson asked me to write a wish list of projects I'd like to record. An After Hours record was at the top of the list.
It was completed very quickly, all in first or second takes. It's the easiest record I've done in years. There was absolutely no pressure. Music was the only thing that mattered, not some artificial outside pressure to perform or be understood.
Ndugu played drums on all takes. I used several bass players including Christian McBride, upright bass; Karry Kimpel, electric and fretless bass; Byron Miller, electric bass; and Lenny Castro, percussion. Paul Jackson and Ray “the weeper” Fuller round out the rhythm section as only they can.
Basically this record is "a night in the life of" type record. It begins when one leaves work with the hustle and bustle of rush hour traffic. But upon arriving at home, the vibe of the record changes to one of coolin' out. From there, we are taken on a journey through the evening, which includes one's significant other.
This is a keyboard CD. There are no vocals. I wanted the piano to be the main instrument with various electric pianos and synths used for variation and vibe. It is a melodic CD - not a lot of riff raff or playing fast to show how many notes can be played in a bar; but rather the simple statement of melodies and feelings. After all, that is the way of the hours after.
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George Duke